Throwback Thursday: "You Came Up" -- Big Pun ft. Noreaga

There's no denying Pun's first LP, Capitol Punishment, was a classic. Just about every beat was on point, and perfectly showcased his smooth-but-rapid flow and effortless lyricism. People forget, though, that Pun's sense of humor was just as big as his talent, and went a long way to him becoming an instant success. And this video—though it doesn't synch up with the song's lyrics (a pet peeve of mine)—brings out a bit more of his charismatic jokester side.

Throwback Thursday: "Break Ups 2 Make Ups" -- Method Man ft. D'Angelo

Raise your hand if you have a crazy ex-girlfriend? Yup. Some of y'all have both hands raised. Let's let Meth and D speak on it for a few minutes...

Throwback Thursday: "The Actual" -- All City

If you're wondering where All City went, don't bother asking me; I don't know either. In fact, I'd completely forgotten about them until TJ suggested this track for a Throwback post.

Throwback Thursday: "Dear Mama" -- 2pac

Those close to me know that my mother has endured some major health issues over the last few weeks. It's been a stressful time, but I'm holding onto a cautiously-optimistic outlook. I want to dedicate this week's throwback to the woman who gave me everything I have in this world, and to remind her that I love her, and that she is appreciated.

Video: Profound & Ejoox -- "No Church in the Wild Remix"

My dude Pro and his boy do the damn thing over Ye and Jay's "Church in the Wild" beat.

Throwback Thursday: "Respiration" -- Blackstar ft. Common

Escuchela...la ciudad respirando...

Throwback Thursday: "The Theme (It's Party Time)" -- Tracey Lee

Just feels appropriate, with Mardi Gras kicking into gear in Nawlins.

Video: Childish Gambino -- "Heartbeat"

Here's something to power you through the start to your workweek: The latest single from Gambino's Camp. Once again, Donald Glover's artistic mind draws out a more abstract, cinematic view of the theme behind the song, and not so much on the song itself.

As for the song, though, I can say this: When I first heard it, it didn't really win me over. It seemed like just a cool little track about a girl, nothing that I would've put in the top half when ranking the tracks on Camp. But one night, on about the 10th or 11th rotation of the CD over my car's stereo, I suddenly caught on to the composition of the beat, and the complexity he achieved by weaving it in so tightly with both the momentum of his flow and the context of his lyrics in each verse. Now I think it may be his most polished track on the album.

Video: Jay-Z & Kanye West -- "Ni**as in Paris"

(Am I the only one who thought this was the follow-up to "1 Night in Paris" when he first heard about it? No? ...*cough* Uhh...)

Be prepared, this might short-circuit your brain.

Throwback Thursday: "Paparazzi" -- Xzibit

I'm still a little mad that I never got a chance to spit over this instrumental on my crew's mixtape. One of the all-time most slept-on joints right here.

Throwback Thursday: "Ms. Fat Booty" -- Mos Def

"Ass so fat that you can see it from the FRONT"

I'm still looking for this chick. Ironic part about that line above is, about a month before this album was released, my boy E said the very same thing about a girl in the mall. It's like Mos was listening in on our convo. (#ICare)

Taking It Higher

Here's an interesting piece by Life + Times about up-and-coming artist Najee the 1 and producer DB2.

Inspired by the shift in hip-hop to explore production beyond just beats, Uptown rapper Najee the 1 and Queens producer Daniel Bazan Jr., a.k.a DB2 have endeavored to imbue their debut album, Settle For Greatness, with progressive sounds and classical instrumentation. Here, Life + Times documents the process of recontextualizing a genre, as DB2 leads a four-piece orchestra at New York University, producing a fitting soundscape for Najee the 1’s streetwise raps.

You can go here to listen to the duo's first release, "Elevated".

Throwback Thursday: "All Falls Down" -- Kanye West

Still a great track from Ye's first album, but I'll be honest: my real reason for choosing this video was the chance to put Stacey Dash on the page again. I'd post her up everyday if I could (...yup).

Download: Joe Budden -- "No Church in the Wild"

New fire from Joey.

Throwback Thursday: "I Know What You Want" -- Busta Rhymes ft. Flipmode Squad & Mariah Carey

Sound quality on this one ain't so great, but you get what you pay for... This was a lowkey (despite the obvious commercial appeal) track, definitely something good for bumping on the way to the club or bar. Mariah was still looking fierce back then (2003), but she looks plain as hell next to the object of Busta's video-vixen desire (Lashontae Heckard, looking like straight fire).

I've got to give the production team some props for making a video that's cinematic without being overwrought (*cough*Diddy*cough*), even if it doesn't jive completely with the track's subject matter.

Throwback Thursday: "Nuff Respect" -- Big Daddy Kane

'92 was a hell of a year. Juice is still one of my all-time favorite flicks.

Video: Trae Tha Truth ft. MDMA, Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Wale, & Wiz Khalifa -- "I'm On"

This shit's fresher than a newborn. TJ with the assist.

Glory

Don't know if you heard, but Mr. Carter had a bit of good news this weekend.

Glory feat. B.I.C.

Throwback Thursday: "Microphone Fiend" -- Eric B. & Rakim

Fuck yes.

Throwback Thursday: "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" -- Jay-Z ft. Beanie Sigel & Amil

Hope all of you are ready to get it on Saturday night.